Surprise celebration marks 50 years for Aberdeen RNLI volunteer Bill Deans

On Saturday 14 March, Bill arrived at Aberdeen Lifeboat Station believing he was heading out to lead a routine training exercise aboard the station’s all-weather lifeboat Bon Accord. When the lifeboat returned to harbour, he was met with a surprise on the quayside, where fellow crew members, family, friends and Lord Provost Dr David Cameron were waiting to celebrate his remarkable half century of volunteering.

Bill’s connection to the sea stretches back to childhood. Although born in Aberdeen, his family roots lie in Orkney, where his grandmother’s side of the family were fishermen and his grandfather’s side were farmers. He spent much of his youth in the islands and even travelled on the ferry by himself from the age of 11 to visit his grandparents.

‘I grew up in Aberdeen but spent a lot of my holidays in Orkney, so the sea was always a big part of life,’ Bill said. ‘Everyone had a boat. We would be out fishing for mackerel in the evenings, swimming and birdwatching.’

Some of his earliest memories of the RNLI come from Stronsay, where he remembers hearing the lifeboat maroons, explosive pyrotechnic rockets historically used to summon volunteer crew, sounding across the island to call the lifeboat to launch.

Bill joined Grampian Police in 1972. Four years later he volunteered to join Aberdeen’s inshore lifeboat crew after the Chief Constable asked if officers would be willing to help crew the station’s inshore lifeboat while on duty.

‘It seemed like a natural fit,’ Bill said. ‘Police officers were already out on patrol and had radios, so we could be contacted quickly if the lifeboat was needed.’

In those days lifeboat equipment and communications were very different from what crew members use today. Radios were not always carried on board and safety equipment was far more limited.

Bill remembers one early rescue involving a stranded windsurfer where the inshore lifeboat capsized during the attempt.

‘We had no radio and no way of calling for help. We were eventually spotted and rescued after about 45 minutes. I was freezing cold and soaked through, but once I warmed up, I went straight back to work to finish my police shift.’

Bill said the situation would be very different today, with modern safety equipment including drysuits, helmets and radios on board.

Over the decades, Bill has been involved in many rescues that tested both skill and judgement.

One particularly challenging incident in the 1980s involved six kayakers who had paddled down the River Don and attempted to enter the sea during heavy swell. Several managed to reach the shore but one kayaker became trapped in breaking surf near the river mouth.

The conditions were too rough for the inshore lifeboat to reach him at first. Bill realised the boat did not have the power needed to get over the swell, so he made the decision to lighten the load by taking one crew member back to the all-weather lifeboat. With just one crew member on board, he then took the inshore lifeboat back towards the casualty.

‘When we got alongside him he was still attached to his kayak,’ Bill said. ‘I could see a large wave coming that would capsize the boat, so I had to put him back in the water for a moment until we were clear of the swell.’

They were able to return moments later and pull the kayaker aboard safely.

‘As helmsman you have to make decisions very quickly. You are responsible for your crew, for yourself and for the casualty you are trying to rescue.’

Another memorable rescue came during severe flooding at Maryculter Caravan Park in the late 1990s. Although RNLI lifeboats normally operate along the coast, exceptional flooding on the River Dee meant the crew were called inland to assist.

The RNLI inshore lifeboat was towed by trailer through flooded roads under Coastguard escort before launching into the rising waters. Crew worked through the night rescuing people from caravans where water had risen to kitchen worktop height.

During the rescue the crew smashed their way into one caravan to reach an injured man trapped inside with a broken leg while floodwater filled the building.

‘He was stuck on his bed and the mattress was floating,’ Bill said. ‘We had to get him out through the window and carry him back to the boat.’

Bill continued serving with Aberdeen RNLI alongside his police career before retiring from the force after 30 years of service. He later took on a role with the RNLI as an assessor trainer, travelling across Scotland to train and assess lifeboat crews.

‘I absolutely loved that job,’ he said. ‘I was able to work with crews all around the coast and help make sure they had the skills and confidence they needed.’

In 2018 Bill’s contribution to saving lives at sea was recognised nationally when he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his decades of service with the RNLI.

As Bill marks 50 years with the RNLI, his contribution is being celebrated by the crew he has served alongside for decades.

Davie Orr, volunteer coxswain with Aberdeen RNLI, said:

‘Bill has been a huge part of the lifeboat station for as long as most of us can remember. His experience, calm approach and willingness to help others have made a real difference to generations of crew. It has been a privilege to serve alongside him.’

The RNLI provides a 24-hour search and rescue service around the coasts of the UK and Ireland and has saved more than 146,000 lives since it was founded in 1824. The charity’s lifesaving work relies heavily on volunteers.

Reflecting on his long service, Bill remains modest about his contribution.

‘It has always been about the team. You are working alongside people you trust completely. Being part of the lifeboat crew has been a huge privilege. The 50 years have gone by in the blink of an eye.’

Notes to Editor

RNLI Image 1 - Lord Provost Dr David Cameron joins RNLI volunteers, family and friends to celebrate Bill Deans’ 50 years of service with Aberdeen Lifeboat Station.

Photo credit: Norman Adams – Aberdeen City Council

RNLI Image 2 - Bill Deans celebrates 50 years of volunteering with Aberdeen RNLI alongside family, friends and fellow crew members at Aberdeen Lifeboat Station.

Photo credit: Norman Adams – Aberdeen City Council

Aberdeen lifeboat station has been operating since 1802. To learn more about the lifeboat station visit https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/aberdeen-lifeboat-station

Aberdeen lifeboat station operates a Severn class all-weather lifeboat, Bon Accord, and D class inshore lifeboat, Buoy Woody 85N.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Lesley McMullan, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Aberdeen RNLI on 07876 863233 or email [email protected]

Richard Smith, Regional Communications Manager (Scotland), on 07826 900639 or email [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, Regional Communications Lead (Scotland), on 07920 365929 or email [email protected]

RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected]

RNLI online

For more information on the RNLI please visit rnli.org. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre rnli.org/news-and-media.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the UK and Ireland. The RNLI operates at 238 lifeboat stations and provides lifeguard cover on 238 UK and Channel Island beaches, with 1,568 lifeguards on patrol. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.